About Southlake / News 
Under-experienced no more
Monday February 8, 2010
Super Bowl XLIV saw the New Orleans Saints beat the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 in a win that pleasantly surprised many football fans. In recent days the underdog Saints have been called America’s Team. Agree or disagree, a new team has arisen from the arm of an underdog quarterback in Drew Brees and the leg of the under-experienced kicker Garrett Hartley.
The 23 year old Hartley is part of Southlake’s Dragon Pride. After converting on 85% of his kicks as a high school senior (17-20) and garnering All State honors he went on to star as a Oklahoma Sooner. While at Oklahoma he was twice honored as a second team All-Big 12 Conference and was a finalist for the Lou Groza award his junior year.
Under-experienced no more, Hartley set a new Super Bowl record by calmly and successfully executing three field goals all greater than 40 yards (46, 44, and 47). Hartley’s success kept the Saints in the game through the first half. Now this young kicker can say he not only performed on the game’s biggest stage, but he raised the bar too. Hartley has just demonstrated to the Saints, the NFL and world that he is a clutch performer for many years to come.
Congratulations to Southlake’s latest football star on his record setting performance and getting his first ever Superbowl ring. We hope there are many more to come.
Business in NE Tarrant Gets a Little More Personal
Monday February 1, 2010 - From N.E.T Business Resource Magazine Jan/Feb 2010
"It’s nothing personal- it’s just business.”
We have all said or heard this phrase numerous times throughout our careers- but from what I have learned, business is all about relationships. And every good relationship has strong personal connection. The cities of Southlake, Grapevine, Colleyville, Westlake and Keller are home to a vibrant core of creative and productive small businesses. These cities are also home to more than a few of DFW’s elite business executives. Why is it then that the businesses and professionals of Northeast Tarrant County find themselves right in the heart of one of the brightest economies in the world yet we are without a publication with a more personal connection ?
Currently there are few if any publications that meet the immediate needs of the businesses of Northeast Tarrant County. National publications do not relate to the climate of our local businesses and city publications rarely focus on our “small” market- despite our relative strength and growth potential.
Enter North Texas’ newest publication - N.E.T Business Resource– Northeast Tarrant County’s Business Resource Magazine, a high-quality, multi-city, business publication. I am excited to be working with locally and nationally known professionals- all of whom bring a wealth of experience to our community. Through our locally focused features and advice columns from the area’s best business minds- N.E.T Business Resource will inform, advise and inspire our businesses and professionals to succeed.
Over the last four years as a publisher I have seen how a small, local publication can thrive even as large scale publishers of newspapers and magazines fall under immense pressure. I know for a fact that locally based, relevant editorial has proven to not just reach, but penetrate local markets. When combined with affordable advertising the all-important need of communication within our business community will be met.
Enjoy this, our very first issue full of feature stories, advice columns and events focused solely on the business community of Northeast Tarrant County. As you read on, let me know what you think. Send me your ideas for future stories, executives and events of interest. This is your magazine. And it is our goal to not only connect with you but also to inform, advise and inspire you.
Mike Tesoriero...
Bicentennial Park Set to Break Ground
Monday January 18, 2010
As the new DPS Headquarters opens up; the City is getting ready to officially break ground on the first phase of the Bicentennial Park Improvement Project. Phase I improvements include entry features, 4-plex baseball fields, concession buildings, five tennis courts, house remodel, detention pond, streets, parking and paths.
Bicentennial Park is the city's second largest park with 74 acres and comprises the first land ever assembled for park purposes in the City of Southlake. The park is located at 450 West Southlake Blvd. (F.M. 1709) and is currently home to several baseball fields, basketball goals, an in-line hockey rink, a Tennis Center with pro shop, a large playground, Liberty Gardens and support facilities.
The groundbreaking ceremony for the phase I projects will take place on Friday, January 22, 2010 at 3:30 p.m. at Bicentennial Park, 450 West Southlake Blvd. For more information about Bicentennial Park or the groundbreaking ceremony please contact Community Services at (817) 748-8019.
Dentistry with a Heart
Saturday January 16, 2010
Dentistry with a Heart, Huckabee Dental’s gift of a free day of dentistry, will be held this coming Friday, February 12, 2010 from 7:00 AM until 4:30 PM at their 505 West Southlake Boulevard offices in Southlake.
Dr. Huckabee’s experienced team of dentists and hygienists will provide free fillings, extractions, and cleanings to the first 200 people, aged 18 and up who visit the Southlake practice. The 2010 event is the second annual “Dentistry with a Heart” public service for Dr. Huckabee’s practice. This year, the event has grown to include other host offices throughout Dallas. At other similar events hosted throughout the country, people begin lining up in the parking lot the night before. “2009 has been a very difficult year economically for many people says Dr. Huckabee. We want to build upon the success we began with 2009 program and provide this much needed service to our community and areas that surround Southlake for patients who can’t afford dental services. Many people neglect dental health, especially when economic times.”
In February 2009, Huckabee Dental’s Dentistry with a Heart initiative provided more than $60,000.00 worth of service to patients including extractions, cleanings, fillings and supplies. The 2010 effort is expected to grow. “In 2009 we learned many lessons about how to be even better. We are preparing staff to see more patients and have asked more dentists to participate,” Huckabee says. “Our intent is to see as many people as we can without reservation, that’s the heart of the event—opening our hearts and serving those in need.”
Dr. Huckabee and his team will do whatever they can on February 12 to relieve pain and fix problems. “Patients who need ongoing care or who have problems that cannot be fixed in one day are referred to community clinics, where they can receive ongoing treatment at low or no cost,” Dr. Huckabee says.
Dentistry with a Heart happens just one day a year and was started in 2005 by Dr. Vincent Monticciolo in New Port Richey, Florida. The program has grown and dentists throughout the U.S. are participating in this day-long event to provide dental care to those who cannot afford to pay. On the other days, Huckabee Dental is a successful dental practice offering a full range of dental procedures including one-day crowns, IV and oral sedation, Invisalign, dental implants, periodontal treatment, and cosmetic and family dentistry. For more information contact Jennifer Shaw at 817-329-4746 or visit www.dfwdentistrywithaheart.com.
Little Girl Big Heart
Tuesday December 22, 2009
Every year at Ultimate Health Chiropractic in Southlake, food and toy drives are held to help out less fortunate families. This year a local elementary third grader named Kaelli touched our hearts with her own Christmas wish. This was such a moving story in our office this holiday season that we felt her story needed to be told. We aim to help as many kids as we can every year and Kaelli certainly helped out a lot.
Below is her story as she told us:
“December 16th is my birthday. Last year I decided to pick 2 Angels from the Angel Tree at the mall to give all of my birthday presents. My friends brought the presents to my birthday party and my Mom, brother and I went to the mall to bring them. It was so much fun to carry in lots of toys for other kids. This year my Mom and I chose to bring the gifts to Dr. Brett’s office for their Toys for Tots drive. I had my birthday party on Friday and all my friends brought unwrapped toys. We had a great time looking at what everyone brought to give the other kids for Christmas. I want to do this every year for my birthday. Lots of kids need presents for Christmas that don’t have money because their Mom and dad don’t work or they are sick. I like to help other kids have a great Christmas like me.”
Foster Tabbed All-State; Avers Named District 6-5A MVP
Saturday December 19, 2009
Dragon Pride continued long after the season ended as over 20 Dragon Football players and Head Coach Hal Wasson were given post season honors. Leading the way was Carroll kicker Cade Foster who was named first-team All-State in Class 5A on Thursday. The Alabama-bound senior was featured on the cover of Dragon Pride IV -was also chosen Special Teams player of the year in District 6-5A. Along with Foster, the Dragons produced a host of All-District selections. Senior running back Tommy Avers was named the 6-5A Most Valuable Player and was Honorable Mention All-State. Hal Wasson was chosen Coach of the Year.
First-team selections included: QB David Piland; WRs Ryan Gentry and Sean Landers; G Kody Weaver; OT Mason Hathaway; DE Jackson Richards (also Honorable Mention All-State); DL Michael Simoson; LBs Lincoln Schick, Cade Foster and Mitchell Osborne; S Justin Agnew and Clay McMillan; CBs Shaun Hoagland and Mason Williams.
Second team selections included: Kyle Williamson; Paul Stevenson; Brett Renger and Cameron Stone, Tony Barone; Nathan Butler; Drew Carnahan; Ben Perry; Robby Halliman; Ryan Dufour and Derek Rutten.
Carroll Theatre Closes Successful Run of White Christmas
Saturday December 19, 2009
The Carroll Theatre Department brought the curtain down on its final performance of Irving Berlin's White Christmas on Sunday, Dec.14. Playing to near-capacity houses the entire run, the show was an amazing success.
"The kids worked so hard, starting back in June with the dance camps led by Jeremy Dumont. The Technical Theatre students continued once school started with all the set design and construction--they have truly accomplished an amazing feat with this show," Carroll Theatre Director Stacie Martinsen said.
The Martinsens would also like to send a special thanks out to David Lown, the Orchestra Conductor, Lou Ann Fisher and Chris Hutchison, the Music Directors, Jeremy Dumont, and Curtis Harnagel, the lighting and sound designer, along with his publicity promotional work. Finally, a special thanks to all the parent volunteers, led by Gina Faris, Toni Herr, Sandy Sook, and Kim Hudson, who so generously donated their time on this production.
Board To Consider Class Rank Changes
Friday December 3, 2009
The Carroll School Board will meet Monday, Dec. 7 to consider a recommendation to change the way the district reports Class Rank for students. School counselors and administrators have spent extensive time researching the positives and negatives of eliminating class rank on student transcripts. The issue will be part of the 6:30 p.m. open agenda discussion held in the Auditorium of Johnson Elementary School, 1301 N. Carroll Avenue.
Associate Superintendent Dr. Lowell Strike updated Trustees at their Nov. 16 meeting on the research the CISD Counseling Department conducted regarding student Grade Point Average (GPA) and Class Rank. The Administration announced at that time plans to bring a formal recommendation to the School Board Dec. 7 eliminating class rank from student transcripts. As required by law, the top 10 percent will still be ranked and will receive a Certification of Rank form listing their actual numerical class rank. This form will accompany transcripts sent to all colleges and universities, in-state, out-of-state both public and private. If the change is approved, Trustees will also later have to adopt wording for the new policy.
District officials have been discussing doing away with the current policy for several months. Class rank is determined by a student's GPA, which can be a valid internal measurement, but it is unfair to compare the rank of high performing districts with other less competitive high schools. About 49 percent of the colleges recalculate GPA after receiving the information from high schools, according to recent Carroll ISD research. In turn, less than half of the nation's high schools are still reporting class rank.
Many districts Carroll ISD compares itself with on a national scale, including Highland Park, have already stopped reporting class rank. School officials believe that students in academically competitive districts like Carroll can sometimes find themselves at a disadvantage when applying for scholarships or entrance to colleges and universities. The Board recently heard from one student who was active in extracurricular and cocurricular activities and posted a high score on college entrance exams, but still did not fall in the top quartile of his senior class. Small differences in a student's GPA can make a significant impact on that same students' class rank. For instance, a student with a GPA of 100 on a 100+ point scale would be in top 10 percent. But a student in that same class with a 95 GPA, also an A average, could fall into the second quartile.
A 2005 study by the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) found that schools that eliminated the practice of ranking students cite reasons that include giving their students a better chance at college admission, curbing student anxiety, and promoting the intrinsic value of learning among their students. Carroll school officials say they want their students to concentrate more on courses that interest them and will bring value to them long-term or rather than on how the class might be weighted or affect their GPA/rank.
The School Board will consider the class rank issue Monday evening, discussing also when the changes might take effect. Pending the Board's final vote, information and facts will be shared with students and parents affected by the change.
The Board's meeting Monday will actually begin at 5 p.m. with a graduation awards ceremony and reception for members of CLASS 2009 - Carroll Leadership Academy for Supporting Success. At that time Dr. Strike, will present the Cheryl Shankman Memorial Award to Robert Williams and John Terrell, former CLASSmates from CLASS 2008 who have gone on to serve in very dedicated ways Carroll ISD and/or the communities that make up Carroll ISD. Mrs. Shankman was a great example of a servant-leaders CLASSmate and wonderful school-wide volunteer. She passed away last year and this award in her memory is a way to remember her spirit and sense of purpose in serving kids and school/community.
A complete agenda for the Dec. 7 School Board meeting will be available on the district's website by Friday afternoon.
